Digital Dilemma: The fifth grade students were each researching one of the 50 states. As a culminating activity, they were supposed to create an Animoto video for the school’s website that would present all of the information that they had found. Mrs. Johnson, the school librarian, noticed what they were doing in the computer lab and went in to check on their progress. One of the students excitedly showed her what he had accomplished and it looked great. However, when Mrs. Jones asked him about some of his pictures, she was dismayed to find out that they were not pictures that were free to use without permission. After a quick look around, the librarian realized that many of the students had captured their pictures from Google Images. She also found that some of the students had downloaded music into the program. When asked, the teacher said not to worry about it, that since they were at school, it was considered “fair use.” Mrs. Johnson was torn because while she did not want to dampen the students’ excitement, she knew that what they were doing did not fall within the guidelines of fair use.
Mrs. Johnson took the teacher aside and explained that she had been mistaken about fair use guidelines. She then offered a quick impromptu lesson on how to access Google Images that are free to use and share and introduced them to Creative Commons. With these tools, students can type in what they are searching for using an advanced search option that displays only items which are free to use and share. She explained that when using these images, the students were still required to cite the source. Mrs. Johnson also took this opportunity to guide them to Animoto’s photo and music library that includes only items that are free to use. While disappointed that they had to make some changes to their work, the students understood that it is important to give credit for other people’s work. Mrs. Johnson and the teacher then set up an additional session to go more indepth with the students in the near future. The teacher recommended that the librarian give a short talk on the subject to the teachers at the next faculty meeting.
Video Dilemma: The fourth grade teachers were having trouble getting students to get all of their homework turned in and do their required reading. They got together after school one day to discuss ideas and came up with a “Point-Time Movie.” In order to qualify to watch this movie, the students would have to complete all homework and schoolwork, get their planners signed daily, and turn in a completed log of their required reading. They got permission from the principal and then announced the plan to the students the next day. The students were very excited about the idea and were definitely motivated to complete all of the requirements. The teachers, while in the workroom, were telling some of their colleagues about the great success they had had with this program. The librarian, Mrs. Johnson, was also in the workroom and was concerned about the legality of showing a movie as a reward to students.
Mrs. Johnson explained to the teachers that while it is fine for them to show a video in the classroom that supports their curriculum, the school did not have the public performance license that is required to show a movie for entertainment purposes. The teachers were deflated, but Mrs. Johnson quickly came up with some suggestions to help them out in lieu of the movie. Some of the ideas were to allow the students free time on the computers, an extra recess, a sit-by-a-friend day, or a game day. She also recommended some ideas to raise the money needed to purchase a site license if they were determined to continue with the Point-Time Movie. Mrs. Johnson then discussed this issue with the principal because she knew that since he had given permission for the movie in the first place, he was apparently unaware of the copyright laws as well.
Mrs. Johnson took the teacher aside and explained that she had been mistaken about fair use guidelines. She then offered a quick impromptu lesson on how to access Google Images that are free to use and share and introduced them to Creative Commons. With these tools, students can type in what they are searching for using an advanced search option that displays only items which are free to use and share. She explained that when using these images, the students were still required to cite the source. Mrs. Johnson also took this opportunity to guide them to Animoto’s photo and music library that includes only items that are free to use. While disappointed that they had to make some changes to their work, the students understood that it is important to give credit for other people’s work.
Mrs. Johnson and the teacher then set up an additional session to go more indepth with the students in the near future. The teacher recommended that the librarian give a short talk on the subject to the teachers at the next faculty meeting.
Video Dilemma: The fourth grade teachers were having trouble getting students to get all of their homework turned in and do their required reading. They got together after school one day to discuss ideas and came up with a “Point-Time Movie.” In order to qualify to watch this movie, the students would have to complete all homework and schoolwork, get their planners signed daily, and turn in a completed log of their required reading. They got permission from the principal and then announced the plan to the students the next day. The students were very excited about the idea and were definitely motivated to complete all of the requirements. The teachers, while in the workroom, were telling some of their colleagues about the great success they had had with this program. The librarian, Mrs. Johnson, was also in the workroom and was concerned about the legality of showing a movie as a reward to students.
Mrs. Johnson explained to the teachers that while it is fine for them to show a video in the classroom that supports their curriculum, the school did not have the public performance license that is required to show a movie for entertainment purposes. The teachers were deflated, but Mrs. Johnson quickly came up with some suggestions to help them out in lieu of the movie. Some of the ideas were to allow the students free time on the computers, an extra recess, a sit-by-a-friend day, or a game day. She also recommended some ideas to raise the money needed to purchase a site license if they were determined to continue with the Point-Time Movie. Mrs. Johnson then discussed this issue with the principal because she knew that since he had given permission for the movie in the first place, he was apparently unaware of the copyright laws as well.